THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY IN OVIA-NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the role of women in agriculture and their contribution to food security in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo state. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The study population comprises of 384 women agriculturists in Ovia North- East local government area. The study, using the random sampling samples 192 women agriculturist in Ovia North-East local government area. In line with this, five research questions were raised to guide the study. The instrument was validated by 2 export from the Department of Vocational and Technical education, Faculty of education, University of Benin and 1expert from the Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The split half method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. The reliability coef icient of 0.72 was gotten. The data was extracted using questionnaire. Results obtained was analysed using frequency count ,simple percentage and mean.The study found that: the role of women in agricultural sector is relatively low; the key challenges and barriers inhibiting women’s full participation and productivity in agriculture are diverse; the identified challenges do not impact on women’s contribution to food security; cultural norms and societal structures influences women’s participation and their role in agriculture; and gender wage gap and limited access to productive resources has adversely af ected women’s productivity in agriculture. Based on this it was recommended that: government should implement initiatives and policies that promote and facilitate the active involvement of women in the agricultural sector; government should develop targeted interventions to address the diverse challenges and barriers inhibiting women’s participation in agriculture; and government should invest in programs that focus on improving food security.